Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Tragedy struck in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State as a Catholic priest, Reverend Father James Omeh, and a woman identified as Charity John were swept away by a flood following a torrential downpour on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Fr. Omeh, who until his death was the Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Gulu, and also served as the Coordinator of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lapai LGA, was travelling in a white Toyota Hilux vehicle when the incident occurred. Sources said the priest was on his way to Gulu when he discovered that the bridge…

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief (Mrs) Omodunni Morayo Lasisi, wife of the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ogun State chapter, Comrade Alhaji Akeem Lasisi. In a condolence message dated May 26, 2025, and addressed to the labour leader, Governor Abiodun described the deceased as a distinguished woman who lived a life of impact, service, and devotion to humanity. “The news of the passage of your beloved wife, Chief (Mrs) Omodunni Morayo Lasisi, came as a deep shock and a painful loss,” the governor wrote. “On behalf…

A suspected suicide bomber was killed on Monday following an explosion near the Mogadishu Barracks in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. The blast, which occurred around midday, also left one other person injured, eyewitnesses told newsmen. According to a report by AIT, a military source who witnessed the incident said the deceased was carrying an improvised explosive device (IED) concealed in a rubber container, which detonated near the popular military installation. However, security operatives at the scene gave conflicting accounts, suggesting that the explosion may have been triggered by a mobile phone device rather than a conventional IED. As of…

A Kano Upper Shari’a Court on Monday sentenced a 38-year-old man, Shafi’u Abubakar, to death by hanging and 150 lashes for setting a mosque ablaze, leading to the deaths of 23 worshippers. Abubakar, a resident of Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was convicted on four counts including culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt, and mischief by fire. The tragic incident occurred on May 15, 2024, at a mosque in Gadan Larabar Abasawa village while worshippers were observing early morning prayers. Delivering the judgement, the presiding judge, Malam Halhalatu Khuza’i-Zakariyya, found the defendant guilty based on circumstantial evidence…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has relocated its caucus meeting to the Bauchi State Government Lodge in Abuja following the sealing of its national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The meeting, which was originally slated to hold at 7pm at the PDP headquarters, was shifted after the FCTA, under the supervision of Minister Nyesom Wike, shut down the secretariat over alleged non-payment of ground and tenancy rent. Wadata Plaza, located in the Wuse Zone 5 area of Abuja, has served as the central hub of the opposition party’s administrative and political activities. The abrupt closure…

The Legislative Council of Abeokuta South Local Government, Ogun State, has announced the lifting of the suspension earlier placed on the enforcement of certain traffic offences, including one-way driving, obstruction, overloading, and traffic light violations. This development was disclosed by the Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. Jamiu Ogundairo, following a plenary session held on Monday. “Today, after plenary, we have lifted the suspension on traffic offences such as one-way, obstruction, overloading, and traffic light violations,” Ogundairo stated. However, the Council maintained that the suspension on fines related to the non-use of helmets and lack of side mirrors remains in…

Balqees Adeniji A Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District in Ogun State, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu has launched a sweeping grassroots initiative to reform the education sector in Ogun Central, enlisting traditional rulers as key stakeholders in the fight against the rising number of out-of-school children. Speaking at a capacity-building workshop and empowerment programme for monarchs held at Ake Palace, Abeokuta, Salisu described education as the “most sustainable form of empowerment,” warning that the region faces a serious future threat if current trends are not reversed. “Our royal fathers are closer to the people than any institution of government,” he…

… Over 21,000 Candidates Miss Resit Exam … JAMB Uncovers AI-Driven Exam Fraud Daud Olatunji The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed a staggering performance gap in the recently rescheduled 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with 70.7 per cent of candidates scoring below 200. A total of 1.9 million candidates sat the examination nationwide. Of this number, only 565,988 candidates managed to cross the 200-mark threshold, while a mere 117,373 (6.08%) scored above 250. In a statement on Sunday, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said just 17,025 candidates (0.88%) scored above 300. The release followed…

The Rector of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Dr Goke Rauf, has called on alumni of tertiary institutions to actively collaborate with their alma maters to boost educational development, particularly in the face of dwindling funding for higher education across Africa. Dr Rauf, who is also an alumnus of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), made the call while delivering a paper titled “Sow and Reap; Strategic Alumni Collaboration as a Catalyst for Institutional Economic Advancement” during the MAPOLY Alumni Association national convention held on Saturday at the school’s premises in Abeokuta. He stressed the need for strategic partnerships between institutions…

Daud Olatunji  Team Delta surged ahead in commanding fashion on Day 7 of the 2024 National Sports Festival, overtaking early leaders Bayelsa and stamping their authority across multiple disciplines, including taekwondo, swimming, and cycling. The Gateway Games—being hosted in Abeokuta and other parts of Ogun State—entered a dramatic phase, with Day 7 delivering both triumph and controversy. Delta Extends Lead, Edo Top Overall Count Delta State now leads the medal standings with 44 gold, 19 silver, and 40 bronze medals—totaling 103. Their consistency across events saw them leapfrog Bayelsa, who now sit second with 33 gold, 26 silver, and 24…